I live in an urban residential neighborhood less than a mile away from the Hope Street parking lot, and am writing to encourage my Greenfield neighbors to join me in voting “No” on the Nov. 4 ballot question. Here’s why:

I believe that the mayor’s office and the planning and economic development departments have conducted more than adequate research regarding the best use of the Hope Street parcel relative to its location, its potential for generating tax revenue, and its potential for playing a role in revitalizing our downtown community.

I believe that declaring the property surplus is the necessary first step (required by Massachusetts General Law) so the city can move on to drafting and issuing requests for proposals from developers.

I believe that the processes which led the mayor’s office to recommend that the parking lot be declared surplus have been transparent and open-minded. Meeting notes, correspondence, and other documentation are all part of public record.

I believe that once the property has been declared surplus there will be many opportunities for the Planning Board, Zoning Board, and the public — especially the immediate abutters — to weigh in before the first round of RFPs is issued.

I believe that the mayor’s office is not going to rush the proposal review process. If the first batch of proposals submitted to the city doesn’t meet the city’s requirements — including parking — there will be additional rounds.

I believe that the concerns which some seniors have expressed about parking availability and accessibility are legitimate, and will be addressed.

I believe that the winning project will be architecturally pleasing and in scale with the surroundings.

I believe that a properly scaled residential development will be a good fit for Hope Street and for the community at large.

Let’s keep the Hope Street development project alive and declare the parking lot surplus. Vote “No” on the ballot question, and move Greenfield one step closer to having a more affordable, walkable, and livable community.

Kate Broughton

Greenfield